Planter

ABSTRACT

A planter is fabricated to be suspended from a wall, window, or other partition. The planter generally includes a planter element for holding a flower or plant, a planter casing which supports the planter element, and a suspension member for mounting the planter to the partition. The planter casing is open on top to allow planter elements to be placed therein, and has perforated sides which allow visual inspection of the contents within the sides. The planter may also have two or more recessed portions in which the planters can be positioned. The recessed portions can be parallel may have a saddlebag appearance. The suspension member may partially separate the recessed portions, and allow some overlap between the recessed portions. Dual-function elements may also be added to provide structural and ornamental features to the planter casing, and may further be selectively added to complement decorative features of the partition.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Design patent applicationfiled Aug. 25, 2006, and entitled “PLANTER,” which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to containers for plants and otherdecorative objects. In particular, the present application relates tocontainers capable of being mounted on wall or window partitions.

2. The Relevant Technology

Flowers, and other live and artificial plants are increasingly beingcultivated for use in both the home and the office. Many workers andhome owners find that by selecting certain types of plants, they canexhibit a touch of their individuality, while also creating a personaland friendly atmosphere in the home or the office.

Despite the increased desire to add plants to the home or office,workers and z home owners are finding fewer and fewer places to grow ordisplay their plants. As many people migrate to urban centers and to theaccompanying apartments or condominiums, they find little floor space tospare. Similarly, the cubicle has become commonplace in the workplace,and placing plants in the work station may limit the workers ability tomaximize his or her use of the workspace.

Even where a home owner is not severely limited in floor space or landarea in which to display plants and flowers, home owners find it usefulto place plants on railings, fences, walls, or other partitions. Forexample, a deck may extend from a bedroom or other room on a secondstory, and may be enclosed by a decorative railing. Such decks arefrequently small and are only large enough for a couple of chairs to beplaced thereon. To add more flare to the space, the home owner may hangplanters from the railing. These planters may cover some of the railing,thereby obscuring part of the decorative effect of the railing.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need for new and improved planterswhich do not reduce floor space, and which provide decorative effects ordo not detract from the decorative effect of a wall, railing, fence,window, or other partition.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containers for flowers, plants, orother decorative objects. In particular, the invention disclosesdecorative planter casing designed to sit upon or otherwise be attachedto a fence, wall, railing, window, or other partition.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a planter casing is designedto hold one or more planters or other decorative objects, and to bemounted upon a partition having a horizontal upper surface which meetstwo vertical surfaces. The planter casing has a recessed portion, one ormore bottom surfaces, and at least one side surface. Accordingly, aplanter, flowers, or plants can be placed inside the recessed portionand supported by the bottom surface, while the one or more side surfaceshelp to keep the planter, flowers, or plants within the recessedportion.

In some embodiments, the planter casing also contains a partitionsuspension member which is connected to the recessed portion. Where thepartition suspension member can have a support surface which isfabricated in such a way as to support the recessed portion on apartition surface.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to a planter casing formounting one or more flower planters upon a partition, and includes atleast two recesses. Each recess can be adapted to hold one or moredecorative objects such as flowers within a planter. Each recess canfurther have a bottom surface and side surfaces. Further, the recessesmay overlap. In some embodiments, the first and second recesses overlapnear a substantially planar upper frame which is continuous as itencircles the first and second recesses. The upper frame may also beopen so as to allow planters to be removably placed within the recesses.

In still another embodiment, a flower planter is provided comprising acasing, a planter element within and supported by the casing, and asuspension member secured to the casing and configured to fasten thecasing to a partition. In some embodiments, the casing has a saddleportion which is open on an upper surface and which holds the planterelement. Additionally, the sides of the casing can be partially open,thereby allowing a view into the side of the casing. The sides canfurther be connected to a bottom surface which supports the planterelement. In still other embodiments, the casing includes a second saddlewhich is substantially identical to the first saddle, and which receivesa second planter element.

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and appendedclaims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of thepresent invention, a more particular description of the invention willbe rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and aretherefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention willbe described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a saddlebag planter assemblycomprising a planter casing and a plurality of planter elements,according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A is a side view of a saddlebag planter casing, according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the saddlebag planter assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of a saddlebag planter casing mounted on adecorative fence; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a saddlebag planter casing of FIG.2A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to containers for flowers, plants, orother decorative objects. In particular, the invention disclosesdecorative planter casing designed to sit upon or otherwise be attachedto a fence, wall, railing, window, or other partition. In use, thedecorative planter casing supports one or more flowers, plants, or otherdecorative objects on the partition. By holding the decorative objectson a partition, the planter casing elevates the decorative objects froma floor, desk, table, or other horizontal surface, thus saving valuablefloor space. In addition, the decorative plantar can be adapted withornamental features. The ornamental features may match similarornamental features of the partition, or may otherwise provide adecorative effect.

Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe various aspectsof exemplary embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood thatthe drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of suchexemplary embodiments, and are not necessarily limiting of the presentinvention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale. In particular, thelength and width of the planter casing are drawn without regard for anyparticular length or width. Additionally, ornamental features areillustrated without any particular regard for the number or particularstyle of ornamental features that may be incorporated on the plantercasing. No inference should therefore be drawn from the drawings as tothe length or width of the planter casing, or to the number ofornamental features to be incorporated.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Itwill be obvious, however, to one skilled in the art that the presentinvention may be practiced without these specific details.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a planter assembly 10according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment,planter assembly 10 includes a planter casing 12, one or more planterelements 14 a, b and a suspension system 16 for hanging planter assembly10 on a wall, railing, window, or other partition. Planter casing 12 ofFIG. 1 includes a top surface 18, sides 20 a-d, and a base 22. Onefeature of planter casing 12 having top surface 18, sides 20 a-d, andbase 22, is that planter casing 12 can receive and support planterelements 14 a, b. Planter elements 14 can, in turn, hold or containplants, flowers, or other decorative elements, thereby also allowingplanter casing 12 to receive plants, flowers, or other decorativeelements. In addition, the combination of planter casing 12 with planterelements 14 provides the ability to quickly and easily replace flowers,plants, or other decorative objects contained in planter assembly 10.

Planter casing 12 can be formed from any conventional materials such asmetal, plastic, ceramic, or wood. In some embodiments, and as discussedin more detail hereafter, the material used to make planter casing 12 isthe same as, or given the appearance of, a material used in a partitionon which planter assembly 10 is suspended. Planter elements 14 can alsobe formed from any conventional material. For example, planter elements14 can be formed from metal, wood, plastic, ceramic, terracotta, ororganic materials (e.g. peat and wood pulp).

In the illustrated embodiment of planter assembly 10, which includesplanter casing 12, sides 20 a-d of planter casing 12 are substantiallyvertical disposed between, and connected to top surface 18 and base 22.In this manner, one or more of sides 20 a-d act as means for supportingtop surface 18 and base 22, and as means for separating top surface 18from base 22. Separation between top surface 18 and base 22 is desirablefor many reasons. For instance, by separating top surface 18 and base22, planter casing 12 can be adapted for use as a container. Where thecontainer is at least partially open, such as in the illustratedembodiment, plants, flowers, or other decorative objects held withinplanter element 14 can be placed therein. Accordingly, planter casing 12acts as a means for containing and/or supporting a planter element.

Top surface 18 can take on any of a variety of shapes or configurations.In the illustrated embodiment, for example, top surface 18 is defined bya substantially horizontal frame 24. Frame 24 mates with sides 20 a-d,and can be connected thereto by any suitable method. For example,depending on the selected material for planter casing 12, welding,adhesives, mechanical fasteners (e.g. nails, screws, clamps, pins,etc.), or any other suitable fastening method can be used to connectsides 20 a-d and frame 24. Frame 24 can also be configured to provideaccess to the interior of planter casing 12. For example, in theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, frame 24 has an open interior, suchthat the interior of top surface 18 is substantially open, while frame24 extends continuously along sides 20 a-d. As will be appreciated by aperson having ordinary skill in the art, the illustrated embodiment isexemplary and is not limiting of the present invention. For example, itis contemplated that frame 24 have a plurality of openings providingaccess into planter casing 12 and/or that frame 24 and top surface 18 donot extend continuously along any or all of sides 20 a-d.

Sides 20 a-d of planter casing 12 can be formed in any of a variety ofways. For example, sides 20 a-d can be solid or perforated. To formsolid sides, a solid sheet of material can be used, or interlockingslats can be secured together. Solid sides can provide any of variousadvantages. For example, where the solid material is substantiallyleakproof, the planter casing can hold dirt, water, and the like. Inthis manner, the planter casing can replace one or more planterelements. In other embodiments, such as that depicted in FIG. 1, sides20 a-d are not formed from a solid sheet of material and are perforated.In the illustrated embodiment, for example, sides 20 a-d are defined, inpart, by a plurality of bars 26. In some embodiments, bars 26 aresubstantially vertical, while in others they are angled or horizontal.

In the illustrated embodiment, bars 26 are rectangular and laterallyspaced, although bars 26 can be any of a variety of suitable sizes andshapes. By laterally spacing bars 26, bars 26 also define openingsbetween the pairs, thus creating a perforated appearance to sides 20 a-dof planter casing 12. A perforated appearance is also advantageous insome applications. For example, where planter elements 14 may containdecorative features, or themselves may be configured to be decorative.In such cases, the openings in perforated sides 20 a-d may allow aperson to view the decorative planter element 14.

Additionally, perforated sides 20 a-d encourage the use of small flowersor ground covering in planter elements 14 of planter assembly 10. Insome embodiments, planter elements may not extend fully between topsurface 18 and base 20. In such a case, groundcover and shorter flowersmay not extend above top surface 18, or may otherwise be difficult orimpossible to view. Open sides 20 a-d, however, allow even these smallerflowers or objects to be viewed through the taps between bars 26. Aswill be discussed in more detail hereafter, sides 20 a-d can alsoinclude decorative features such as rings 28 or other objects whichprovide ornamentation or structural strength to sides 20 a-d.

Base 22 of planter casing 12 can also be solid or open. In connectionwith sides 20 a-d that are solid, a solid base 22 can facilitate use ofplanter casing 12 as a planter element. Additionally, even where sides20 a-d are perforated, a solid base 22 may be desirable. For example,suspension system 16 may suspend planter assembly 10 over a floor,sidewalk, street, desk, table, or any other surface. Even where planterelement 14 is substantially leakproof, some dirt or water may seepthrough planter element 14, or wind, rain, or other factors may causewater or dirt to fall from planter element 14. A solid base 22 reducesthe risk that the water or dirt will fall through planter casing 12,thereby wetting or dirtying the surface below. Thus, solid base 22 ofplanter casing 12 reduces the risk of dirt, water, flower petals, andthe like falling on people or objects below planter assembly 10, as wellas the need to clean the floor or surface over which planter assembly 10is suspended.

Additionally, where base 22 is not substantially solid, it can increasethe stability of planter elements 14. Particularly where planter element14 is small, slight shifts in the position of planter element 14 on aperforated base having large openings or gaps could cause the planterelement to move and shift off-balance, thus increasing the likelihoodthat planter element 14 will leak (e.g. water or dirt will escapeplanter element 14). If base 22 is solid and substantially horizontal,slight shifts in position are less likely to result in tipping orleakage.

While a solid base 22 is illustrated, it is also contemplated that base22 be perforated or semi-perforated. For example, base 22 can be adaptedto have an appearance similar to sides 20 a-d. Particularly whereplanter elements 14 are large, or where openings in the base are small,the base is less likely to cause a planter element to teeter and leak.In still other embodiments, base 22 is solid, but further includes alight permeable (e.g. transparent) material. A material such as glass,or a flexible or rigid plastic can reduce leakage to the surface belowplanter assembly 10 without significant detriment to any ornamentalappearance of base 22.

As previously noted, suspension system 16 is configured to suspendplanter assembly 10 on a wall, railing, window, fence, and the like. Bysuspending planter assembly 10, flowers or plants can be elevated fromthe ground or other surface, thereby adding to the decorative aspects ofa space, but without a corresponding reduction in the available floorspace. A variety of components may be used to form suspension system 16.For example, a wall bracket, or wire may be secured to frame 24 andattached to a ceiling or wall, or hung on a railing. In otherembodiments, and as discussed in more detail hereafter, suspensionsystem 30 can be configured to suspend planter assembly 10 on the topsurface of a partition. Still further, a suspension system may include ahandle such that it is easily suspended over a surface by a user.

FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of planter assembly 10 according to oneembodiment of the present invention. Planter casing 12 includes a firstrecessed portion 30. First recessed portion 30 extends between topsurface 18 and base 22, thereby acting as a first container in whichfirst planter element 14 a can be received and supported. As is alsoshown in FIG. 1, side 20 a defines a first boundary of first recessedportion 30. Additional boundaries of first recessed portion 30 includebase 22 and sides 20 b, d. Side 20 c can form an additional boundarydefining first recessed portion 30, or an interior wall may at leastpartially define the boundary (see, e.g., interior wall 40 in FIG. 2B).

In some embodiments, planter casing 12 can further include a secondrecessed portion 32. Second recessed portion 32 may, in someembodiments, define a second container. In the illustrated embodiment,second recessed portion 32 defines a second container which issubstantially identical to and parallel to the first container, althoughthis feature is not limiting. For instance, in some embodiments, asecond container is perpendicular to a first container.

Second recessed portion 32, of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A, isdefined, at least in part, by base 22 and sides 20 b-d. Additionally, aninterior wall (see interior wall 42 in FIG. 2B) may also at leastpartially define second recessed portion 32. Further, an interior wallmay also wholly or partially separate first recessed portion 30 fromsecond recessed portion 32.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2A, planter assembly 10 comprising plantercasing 12 has a saddlebag appearance. In part, this appearance resultsfrom first and second recessed portions 30, 32 being substantiallyidentical and parallel. It should be appreciated, however, that althoughthe illustrated embodiment of planter assembly 10 depicts first andsecond recessed portions 30, 32 as substantially identical and parallel,this is exemplary only and is not necessarily limiting. For example, oneor both of first and second recessed portions 30, 32 can be separated tofurther define additional containers. Alternatively, first and secondrecessed portions 30, 32 can be different sizes, shapes, orconfigurations. As will also be appreciated by one having ordinary skillin the art, the illustrated shape of first and second recessed portions30, 32 is rectangular, but this is not limiting. First and secondrecessed portions 30, 32 can be rounded, angled, bent, or otherwiseconfigured to give first and second recessed portions 30, 32, andplanter casing 12, any suitable shape.

With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, it will be appreciated that thecontainers defined by first and second recessed portions 30, 32 are atleast partially separated by suspension system 16. In this embodiment,suspension system 16 includes support plates 34 disposed on each ofsides 20 b and 20 d. Support plate 34 is fabricated to receive apartition and thereby support planter assembly 10 thereon. For instance,planter assembly 10 can be supported upon a horizontal surface of apartition. In such an embodiment, support plate 34 has a raised support36. Raised support 36 has a substantially horizontal surface that mateswith an adjacent horizontal surface of a partition. Raised support 36can be sized to be at least as wide as the horizontal surface of thepartition. For example, in one embodiment the width of raised support 36is substantially the same as the width of the partition. In this manner,the partition can be inserted into support plate 34 and can befrictionally secured thereto by raised support 36.

Raised support 36 can be adapted to provide additional stability toplanter assembly 10 as it is suspended on a partition. For example, twoor more support plates 34, each having raised support 36, can bepositioned on each of sides 20 b, d. Accordingly, the multiple supportplates 34 increase friction and provide added stability.

In still other embodiments, the height of raised support portion 36provides the function of adding stability to planter assembly 10. Forinstance, in this embodiment, support plates 34 extend the entire heightof planter casing 12, and raised support is about two-thirds the totalheight of planter casing 12. It will be appreciated, however, that otherconfigurations are contemplated in the practice of the presentinvention. For example, in some embodiments, one or more support platesmay not extend the entire height of planter casing 12. In otherembodiments, the height of raised support 36 may be more (e.g.three-fourths) or less (e.g. half) than two-thirds the height of plantercasing 12.

As a partition is inserted into support plate 34, and planter assembly10 is supported on the partition, the vertical surfaces of the partitionabut the vertical surfaces of raised support 36. Accordingly, the higherthe raised support 36, the greater the surface area and frictionalengagement between raised support 36 and the partition.

Raised support 36 of one or more support plates 34 can alone be used tosuspend planter assembly 10 on a partition. In other embodiments,however, a support arm 38 can further support planter assembly 10 on thepartition. For example, a support arm 38 can be secured to supportplates 34, and extend longitudinally along all or a portion of plantercasing 12. In this manner, and as is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4,support arm 38 can extend through a medial portion of planter casing 12.Support arm 38 can increase the contact surface area between plantercasing 12 and the partition, thereby increasing the stability of planterassembly 10 and the friction between planter casing 12 and thepartition. Support arm 38 and support plates 34 can be made from anysuitable material. In some embodiments, support arm 38 and/or supportplates 34 are formed of the same material as planter sides 20 a-d, frame24, and or base 22. Accordingly, representative materials suitable foruse as support arm 38 or support plates 34 include metals, plastics,ceramics, or wood.

The separation between first recessed portion 30 and second recessedportion 32 is further illustrated in FIG. 2B. As illustrated, suspensionsystem 16 is positioned approximately in the middle of planter casing12, and between first and second recessed portions 30, 32. In thismanner, suspension system 16 at least partially separates first recessedportion 30 from second recessed portion. Additionally, raised support 36and/or support arm 28 can be vertically displaced from, and positionedbetween top surface 18 and base 22. As will be discussed in more detailwith respect to FIG. 4, such a vertical displacement of raised support36 or support arm 38 allows top surface 18 to be elevated above a topsurface of the partition, while base 22 is positioned below the topsurface of the partition. Additionally, a first interior wall 40 can beconnected to support arm 38. First interior wall extends between supportarm 38 and base 22, thereby separating at least a portion of firstrecessed portion 30 from second recessed portion 32. In someembodiments, a second interior wall 42 also extends from support arm 38or is otherwise disposed between, and acts to separate, first and secondrecessed portions 30, 32.

As is also illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, interior walls 40, 42 andsuspension system 16 may only partially separate first recessed portion30 and second recessed portion 32. For example, in the illustratedembodiments, interior walls 40, 42 extend only as high as support arm38. Accordingly, the portions of first and second recessed portions 30,32 adjacent top surface 18 are not separated. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, portions of first and second recessed portions30, 32 adjacent frame 24 are not separated by suspension system 16and/or interior walls 40, 42. In this embodiment, the portions of firstand second recessed portions 30, 32 which are not separated define firstand second upper portions 52 and 54, respectively. Because first andsecond upper portions 52, 54 are not separated, and as illustrated inFIGS. 1-2B, first upper portion 52 of first recessed portion 30 is indirect communication with second upper portion 54 of second recessedportion 32. For example, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG.2B, the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 1-2B, first upper portion 52intersects and overlaps second upper portion 54 in the overlap area 55which is defined by the illustrated, phantom lines.

It will be appreciated that the heights of first and second upperportions 52, 54 can be varied. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, first and second upper portions 52, 54 have a height ofabout one-third the total height of planter casing 12. In otherembodiments, the height of first and second upper portions 52, 54 ismore or less than one-third the height of planter casing 12.Additionally, while the illustrated embodiments depict overlap portion55 extending the length of planter casing 12, between top surface 18 andarm 38 of suspension system 16, this feature is not necessarilylimiting. For example, in some embodiments, an overlap portion extendsonly partially along the length of planter casing 12 or does not fullyextend between top surface 18 and arm 38.

FIG. 2B also illustrates an exemplary embodiment of base 22 in whichbase 22 comprises first and second bottom frames 44, 46, and first andsecond bottom plates 48, 50. First and second bottom plates 48, 50 canserve the function of supporting one or more planter elements 14, andthereby maintaining the planter elements 14 a,b within planter casing 12and/or stabilizing planter elements 14 a,b. Bottom frames 44, 46 are, inthe illustrated embodiment, secured to bars 26 of sides 20 a-d, and arethereby linked to, and vertically displaced from, top surface 18.Further, bottom plates 48, 50 can be secured to bottom frames 44, 46 inany suitable method. For example, bottom plates 48, 50 can be welded ormechanically fastened to bottom frames 44, 46.

It will be appreciated that it is not necessary that bottom frames 44,46 fully surround bottom plates 48, 50. For example, in the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 2B and 4, bottom frames 44, 46 do not extend alongfirst interior walls 40, 42. Additionally, bottom plates 48, 50,interior walls 40, 42, and raised support 36 can be separately orintegrally formed. For example, any elements of base 22 and/orsuspension system 16 can be separately formed and bracketed, screwed,welded, or otherwise secured together. In other embodiments, one or moreof first and second bottom plates 48, 50, interior walls 40, 42, andraised support 36 are fabricated as one or more integral pieces. Forexample, bottom plates 48, 50, raised support 36, and interior walls 40,42 can each be fabricated from sheet metal. The sheet metal can be bentso as to form interior walls 40, 42, bottom plates 48, 50, and/or raisedsupport 36. In other exemplary embodiments, support arm 38 is integrallyformed with interior walls 40, 42 and/or support plates 34. Thus,support arm 38, interior walls 40, 42, and bottom plates 48, 50 can be asingle integral unit.

As will be appreciated, the configuration of planter assembly 10 andplanter casing 12 in FIGS. 2A and 2B is exemplary only, and notnecessarily limiting of the present invention. Other configurations ofplanter assembly 10 and planter casing 12 are contemplated. For example,it is not necessary that support arm 38 be connected to support plates34, and it is contemplated that support arm 38 and raised support 36have other configurations. For example, support arm 38 may be elevatedor lowered with respect to raised support 36. In a particular example,support arm 38 and raised support 36 may be integrally formed and/orco-planar with top surface 18. Accordingly, top surface 18 can bepositioned about planar with the top surface of a partition. In anotherembodiment, it is contemplated that recessed portions 30, 32 do notoverlap, while in still other embodiments, support arm 38 and interiorwalls 40, 42 are not connected.

FIG. 3 provides a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofplanter casing 12 on a partition 60. Partition 60 is exemplary of anumber of types of walls, windows, railings, fences, and the like uponwhich it is contemplated that planter casing 12 can be used.

In the illustrated embodiment, top surface 18 and base 22 of plantercasing are vertically spaced above and below, respectively, thehorizontal upper surface 62 of partition 60. This position may beaccomplished in a number of fashions. For example, as previouslydescribed, planter casing 12 can include support arm 38 runninglongitudinally along a medial section of planter casing 12. Support arm38 can be positioned adjacent, abut, rest on, and/or be supported byhorizontal upper surface 62 of partition 60. In this manner, plantercasing 12 fits on, and is stabilized by and on partition 60. As alsonoted above, this embodiment is exemplary only. Additional methods ofstabilizing planter casing 12 on partition 60 are contemplated. Forexample, a wall bracket, a wire, or a shelf may also be used to elevateplanter casing 12 and to secure planter assembly 10 to partition 60. Instill other alternatives, a support arm 38 and/or suspension system 16may not extend through a medial portion of planter casing 12. Forexample, a support arm may be positioned on one or more sides of aplanter casing.

As is also illustrated in FIG. 3, planter casing 12 can be fabricated tohave a desired ornamental effect. For instance, in the illustratedembodiment, bars 26 extend between frame 24 and base 22 to providestrength and support to planter casing 12. The shape, size, orientation,or other configuration of bars 26 can also be selected to provide adesired ornamentation, while also maintaining the structural integrityof planter casing 12. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, bars26 can be painted, tinted, or colored to provide a decorativeappearance.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 further has rings 28 which aresecured to bars 26. Rings 28 and bars 26 have an alternating patternsuch that each of rings 28 are secured to two of bars 26 positioned onopposite sides of rings 28. It will be appreciated, however, that rings28 and bars 26 can, however, form any number of patterns. For example,two or more rings 28 may be secured between each of bars 26, or rings 28may not be positioned between each of bars 26.

Rings 28 also configured to be dual-purpose. Rings 28 are secured tobars 26 and provide additional support to bars 26. For example, rings 28restrict the lateral movement of bars 26. Further, rings 28 provide adecorative, ornamental effect.

Planter casing 12 can also be adapted to provide ornamentation thatcomplements or otherwise matches partition 60. In the exemplaryembodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, planter casing 12 is suspended onpartition 60. Partition 60 comprises slats 64 and rings 66. Slats 64 andrings can be adapted to provide a decorative and/or ornamentalappearance to partition 60. Decorative slats 64 run in a verticaldirection, while decorative rings 66 are positioned in the gaps betweenall at decorative slats 64.

In one exemplary embodiment of planter casing 12, bars 26 are selectedand/or positioned to match the respective size and positioning ofdecorative slats 64. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, thewidth of bars 26 is about equal to the width of slats 64. Further, thelateral spacing between bars 26 is about equal to the lateral spacingbetween slats 64. Accordingly, the appearance of planter casing 12having bars 26 complements the similar appearance of partition 60 havingslats 64.

In addition, rings 28 of planter casing 12, and may further match orotherwise complement the ornamental configuration of partition 60. Inthe illustrated embodiment, rings 28 and decorative rings 66 areapproximately the same size (e.g. diameter and/or thickness), and areeach secured in the lateral spaces between the respective bars 26 anddecorative slats 64. Further, bars 26 and rings 28 can be made of thesame material used to manufacture partition 60, can be painted orcolored to match partition 60, or can otherwise be configured to match,complement, or blend with the decorative features of partition 60.

It will be appreciated that planter casing 12 is not limited to the useof bars 26 and rings 28 to provide structural and/or ornamental elementsto planter casing 12. Of course, diamonds, squares, stars, and the likecould also replace bars 26 and/or rings 38. For example, partition 60may be made of a variety of materials, including wrought iron. Wroughtiron is commonly used for fences and railings, and can incorporate avariety of decorative features and accents including, for example,diamonds, stars, leaves, spears, fleur-de-lis, crosses, and the like maybe incorporated as decorative and/or supportive features. Any suchdecorative feature is contemplated in connection with planter casing 12.

In other embodiments, planter casing 12 is comprised of a wood, metal,or plastic material similar to a material used to make partition 60. Forexample, partition 60 may be a vinyl fence, and planter casing 12 cancomprise vinyl or another plastic material adapted to have theappearance of vinyl. However, it is not necessary in all embodiments ofthe present invention that partition 60 and planter casing 12 be made ofthe same material, or similar in appearance.

FIG. 4 provides an additional cross-sectional view of planter casing 12according to another embodiment of the present invention. As illustratedin FIG. 4, bars 26 are aligned in such a way as to match or complementslats 64 of partition 60. For example, in this embodiment, bars 26 havea rectangular cross section, such that the width and length of therectangular cross-section of bars 26 are different. In the illustratedembodiment, each of bars 26 are about identical, and are positioned andlaterally-spaced along sides 20 a-d such that each bar 26 is oriented inthe same direction. In this embodiment, the bars 28 are each positionedsuch that the same dimension (e.g. width or length) of the rectangularcross-section is oriented in the same direction. Such an orientation maybe particularly desirable where the width of bar 26 is the configured tomatch the width of slats or other decorative or support features of apartition 60. In this manner, each bar 26 is configured to complementdecorative and/or supportive features of a partition (e.g. decorativeslats 64 and partition 60). It will be appreciated, however, that thisembodiment is illustrative only, and is not limiting of the presentinvention. In some embodiments, bars 26 are not identical, or otherdecorative features may have a variety of orientations andconfigurations to match or complement partition 60, or to otherwiseprovide a decorative appearance and quality to planter casing 12. Insome embodiments, rods 26 are equally spaced, while in others thespacing is unequal.

FIG. 4 further illustrates an exemplary placement of support plates 34of suspension system 16. In the illustrated embodiment, support plates34 are positioned about mid-way between sides 20 a, c and are placedalong, and secured to, sides 20 b, d. In this embodiment, support plates34 are secured to the interior surface of sides 20 b, d, although itwill be appreciated that this is exemplary only, and that otherpositions for support plates 34 are contemplated. For example, supportplates 34 may be secured to an exterior surface of sides 20 b, d, or maybe located between the interior and exterior surfaces of sides 20 b, d.

Support plates 34 may be secured or fastened to sides 20 b, d by usingany suitable method. For example, welds, adhesives, rivets, mechanicalfasteners, or other methods may be used. As is further illustrated inFIG. 2B, support plates 34 can further be fastened to frame 24 and/orbase 22. In still other embodiments, support plates 34 are integrallyformed with all or part of sides 20 b, d (e.g. integral with bars 24).

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. A decorative planter casing designed hold one or more planters, andto be mounted upon a partition having a horizontal surface and twovertical surfaces, comprising: a recessed portion defining a containerand being adapted to receive one or more decorative objects, wherein thecontainer has one or more bottom surfaces and at least one perforatedside surface; and a partition suspension member connected to therecessed portion, wherein the partition suspension member has at leastone partition support surface configured to support the recessed portionon a partition surface.
 2. A decorative planter casing as recited inclaim 1, wherein the container is a first container, and furthercomprising a second recessed portion defining a second container.
 3. Adecorative planter casing as recited in claim 2, wherein the first andsecond recessed portions intersect.
 4. A decorative planter casing asrecited in claim 2, wherein the second container is substantiallyidentical to the first container.
 5. A decorative planter casing asrecited in claim 1, further comprising an upper surface connected to theat least one perforated side surface.
 6. A decorative planter casing asrecited in claim 5, wherein the upper surface is continuous and has afully unobstructed interior portion configured to allow the one or moredecorative objects to be positioned within the container.
 7. Adecorative planter casing as recited in claim 5, wherein the at leastone perforated side surface comprises a plurality of container supportmembers between the upper surface and the one or more bottom surfaces.8. A decorative planter casing as recited in claim 1, wherein the atleast one perforated side surface is four perforated side surfaces. 9.The decorative planter recited in claim 1, wherein the at least onepartition support surface is substantially horizontal and issignificantly vertically displaced between an upper surface of therecessed portion and the one or more bottom surfaces.
 10. The decorativeplanter recited in claim 9, wherein the partition suspension member hasat least one vertical support surface connected to the container. 11.The decorative planter recited in claim 1, wherein the at least oneperforated side surface has one or more ornamental elements adapted tocomplement one or more ornamental elements of the partition.
 12. Aplanter casing for mounting one or more flower planters upon apartition, comprising: a first recess adapted to receive one or moredecorative objects, wherein the first recess comprises a bottom surfaceand one or more side surfaces; and a second recess adapted to receiveone or more decorative objects, the second recess at least partiallyoverlapping the first recess, and wherein the second recess comprises abottom surface and one or more side surfaces.
 13. A planter casing asrecited in claim 12, the planter casing further comprising an upperframe defining a continuous upper surface of the first and secondrecess.
 14. A planter casing as recited in claim 13, wherein the firstand second recess define an overlap portion, wherein the overlap portionis adjacent the upper frame.
 15. A planter casing as recited in claim13, further comprising: a first lower frame defining, at least in part,the bottom surface of the first recess; and a second lower framedefining, at least in part, the bottom surface of the second recess. 16.A planter casing as recited in claim 13, wherein a plurality of slatsare disposed between the upper frame and the bottom surfaces of thefirst and second recesses.
 17. A planter casing as recited in claim 16,wherein the plurality of slats are adapted to correspond to slats on apartition.
 18. A planter casing as recited in claim 12, the plantercasing further comprising a partition suspension member for supportingthe first and second recesses on a partition, the partition suspensionmember being connected to and disposed between the first and secondrecesses.
 19. A flower planter to be mounted upon a wall partition,comprising: a casing comprising: a first saddle having an open interiorportion, and wherein the first saddle comprises one or more sides whichpartially obstruct access through the side of the planter casing intothe open interior portion; and at least one bottom surface positionedproximate the first saddle; a first planter element positioned withinthe planter casing and at least partially supported by the at least onebottom surface; and a suspension member secured to the first saddle, thesuspension member being adapted to fasten the planter casing to apartition.
 20. A flower planter as recited in claim 19, furthercomprising a second planter element, and wherein the planter casingfurther comprises: a second saddle adjacent the first saddle, the secondsaddle having a second interior portion which overlaps the firstinterior portion, and wherein the second saddle receives the secondplanter element; a second bottom surface at least partially supportingthe second planter element; an upper frame connecting the first andsecond saddles, the upper frame providing substantially unobstructedaccess to the first and second interior portions; and one or moreornamental members adapted to match decorative features of thepartition.